Category: Visual and Media Accessibility

Open Captions

Also known as: OC, Open Captioning, Burned-in Captions

Simply put

Open captions are text of a video's dialogue and relevant sounds that are permanently displayed on the screen and cannot be turned off by the viewer. They serve people who are D/deaf or hard of hearing, as well as others who benefit from on-screen text. Unlike closed captions, there is no option to switch them on or off.

Formal definition

Open captions are caption text that is permanently embedded into the visual content of a video, appearing directly on the image so that all viewers see them and no viewer can disable them. This distinguishes them from closed captions, which are authored on a separate track that the viewer can toggle on or off. In theatrical contexts, open captions are typically presented as designated showtimes that display dialogue text (and, in some implementations, audio description text) on screen for the full presentation. Because open captions are integrated into the picture rather than delivered via a separate, user-controllable track, they require no viewer-side decoding or device support, but they also cannot be customized or removed.

Why it matters

Open captions ensure that dialogue and relevant sounds are always visible, removing the barriers that can arise when captions depend on viewer-side decoding, device support, or correct configuration. Because they are permanently embedded in the picture, there is no risk that a viewer will be unable to locate a toggle, that a playback device will fail to render a separate caption track, or that a platform will strip caption data during processing. This reliability makes open captions a dependable option for people who are D/deaf or hard of hearing, as well as for others who benefit from on-screen text, such as viewers in noisy or sound-restricted environments.

In public venues like movie theaters, open captions are commonly offered as designated showtimes so that patrons who need captions can attend without relying on personal captioning devices, which may be in limited supply, malfunction, or be uncomfortable to use. Some theater chains promote open caption showtimes that display dialogue and audio description text directly on the screen, and municipal programs have promoted open captioning as a service for D/deaf and hard-of-hearing moviegoers.

The trade-off is that open captions cannot be turned off or customized. Every viewer at an open caption presentation sees the same fixed text, which some viewers may find distracting and which cannot be adjusted for size, color, or position. This is why open captions are typically offered alongside, rather than as a replacement for, closed captions or other user-controllable caption options. This entry describes general practices and is not legal advice; specific accessibility obligations vary by jurisdiction and context and may be shaped by regulation and case law, so consult qualified legal counsel for compliance questions.

Who it's relevant to

People who are D/deaf or hard of hearing

Open captions provide a reliable way to access dialogue and relevant sounds without depending on personal captioning devices or on correctly configured playback settings. In venues that offer open caption showtimes, patrons can attend knowing captions will be visible throughout the presentation.

Movie theaters and public venues

Theaters and similar venues often offer open caption showtimes as an accessibility option for D/deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons. Because open captions require no separate devices, they can reduce reliance on personal captioning hardware that may be limited in number or prone to failure, though they are commonly offered alongside other caption options rather than as a replacement.

Video producers and content creators

Producers may choose open captions when they need captions to display reliably across platforms and devices that might not support a separate caption track. They should weigh this reliability against the loss of viewer control, since open captions cannot be turned off, resized, or repositioned by the audience.

Accessibility and compliance teams

Teams evaluating media accessibility should understand the distinction between open and closed captions when planning caption strategies. Open captions can serve as a dependable delivery method, but their fixed nature means they may not meet every user's preferences, and accessibility obligations should be assessed with reference to the applicable authority and, where appropriate, qualified legal counsel.

Inside OC

Burned-in text

Open captions consist of text that is permanently rendered into the video image itself, meaning the caption pixels are part of the visual frame rather than a separate data track.

Always visible display

Because the captions are embedded in the video, they are displayed at all times and cannot be turned off or toggled by the viewer, unlike closed captions.

Speech and sound representation

Like other captioning, open captions convey spoken dialogue and often relevant non-speech audio information such as speaker identification and meaningful sound effects, supporting users who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Contrast to closed captions

Closed captions are delivered as a separate track that the user can enable, disable, and sometimes style, whereas open captions offer no such user control because they are part of the image.

Relationship to WCAG captioning criteria

Captioning of prerecorded and live synchronized media is addressed by WCAG success criteria for captions; open captions are one method of providing captions, though the guidelines do not require captions to be open specifically.

Common questions

Answers to the questions practitioners most commonly ask about OC.

Are open captions the same thing as closed captions?

No. Open captions are permanently embedded (burned) into the video image and are always visible to everyone, whereas closed captions are delivered as a separate track that viewers can turn on or off and often adjust. The two serve overlapping audiences but differ in how the caption text is rendered and controlled. Because open captions cannot be disabled or restyled by the viewer, they remove user control over caption appearance, which closed captions generally preserve.

Does using open captions automatically satisfy accessibility requirements for video?

Not necessarily. Providing accurate synchronized captions addresses the WCAG success criterion commonly associated with captions for prerecorded audio content, but conformance depends on caption accuracy, synchronization, and completeness rather than simply on the caption format. Open captions also do not address other media-related considerations, such as audio description for visual information or a transcript, and meeting a technical criterion does not by itself guarantee an accessible experience for all users or immunity from legal claims. This guidance is not legal advice.

When might open captions be preferable to closed captions?

Open captions may be preferable when the playback environment does not reliably support a selectable caption track, such as certain social media autoplay contexts, embedded players without caption controls, or venues where a single shared display must show captions to everyone. Because they are always visible, open captions can help ensure captions reach viewers who might not know how to enable closed captions. The trade-off is that viewers cannot turn them off or adjust their styling.

How are open captions created and added to a video?

Open captions are typically produced by first generating accurate, synchronized caption text and then rendering that text directly onto the video frames during editing or encoding, so it becomes part of the image. Because the text is permanent once burned in, corrections generally require re-editing and re-exporting the video. Reviewing the captions for accuracy and timing before finalizing the export is important, since changes after burn-in are not simple.

What placement and readability factors should be considered for open captions?

Because open captions occupy part of the video image, placement should avoid obscuring important on-screen content and should account for players or platforms that may overlay their own controls near the bottom of the frame. Legibility factors such as sufficient contrast between text and background, adequate text size, and consistent timing help ensure the captions are readable across different screen sizes and viewing conditions.

Can a video include both open captions and other accessibility features?

Yes. Open captions can be combined with additional media accessibility features, such as a separate transcript or audio description where visual information needs to be conveyed to users who cannot see the screen. Because open captions cannot be turned off or restyled, some providers offer an alternate version or supplement them with other formats to preserve user choice; the appropriate combination depends on the content and the audience's needs.

Common misconceptions

Open captions and closed captions are interchangeable terms for the same feature.

They differ in a key respect: open captions are permanently burned into the video and cannot be turned off, while closed captions are a separate track the viewer can enable or disable and sometimes restyle.

Using open captions automatically satisfies accessibility requirements for video.

Captions are one component of accessible media, but meeting a captioning method does not by itself guarantee an accessible experience or legal compliance; other needs such as audio description, transcripts, and player accessibility may also apply, and legal requirements should be confirmed with qualified counsel.

Open captions are always the better choice because they are guaranteed to appear.

While open captions are always visible, they remove user control over caption styling and visibility, which some viewers may prefer; the appropriate choice generally depends on the platform, audience, and content, and there is no single option that is universally superior.

Best practices

Decide between open and closed captions based on the delivery platform and audience needs, recognizing that open captions cannot be toggled or restyled by viewers.

Ensure captions accurately represent spoken dialogue as well as relevant non-speech audio such as speaker identification and meaningful sound effects.

Verify that captions are readable by maintaining sufficient contrast and legible sizing, since open captions are permanently part of the image and cannot be adjusted by the user.

Treat open captions as one method of meeting applicable WCAG captioning success criteria rather than as a complete accessibility solution.

Combine captioning with manual review and assistive technology testing, as automated checks alone detect only a portion of media accessibility issues.

Consult qualified legal counsel and current agency guidance to confirm which captioning obligations apply to your specific jurisdiction and context, as this guidance is not legal advice.